Somewhat Human (Fullmetal Alchemist)

23: The Wind is a Gossip

Edward sits on the hospital bed and points to his, one-of-a-kind drawing of Envy, " Then, this guy kicked me and I don't remember anything after that." (Y/n) looks up from her drawing to fill in the gaps, since Envy revealed more than he would've if (Y/n) wasn't so chatty.

" His name's Envy and he's a homunculus, yes I know but he said it himself and he had and Uroborus tattoo his leg, anyways he had Eddie slung over his shoulder and was trying to find me and punched a hole in the wall and yelled at me before dropping Eddie into my arms."

The news Envy was a homunculus surprised the room, because as far as they were concerned, there was no such thing, " I thought they didn't exist." Alphonse mumbles, Edward hums surprised and confused by the fact Envy was a homunculus and that he technically saved him even though he kicked him unconscious.

Lightening the atmosphere Armstrong points at (Y/n)'s drawing," What are you drawing?" (Y/n) spins the pencil in her hand trying to appear casual, " Just my own drawing of Envy." Edward raises an eyebrow and looks at Alphonse, then to (Y/n), then back to Alphonse who nods and peeks at what she's drawing.

" You're doing the swirly thing?"

"Al, I would appreciate it if you were more supportive
of my creative endeavors."

Alphonse deadpans at (Y/n) as she draws another swirl on her paper full of them, "That aside there are too many mysteries surrounding the stone, and it's not like we can't investigate the place anymore." Hughes muses, they all slump over and hear footsteps approaching, they think nothing of it but they certainly will once Fuhrer Bradley walks through the door.

" Pardon my sudden entrance." Bradley says warmly, everyone's jaws drop and salute as quickly as possible, (Y/n) accidentally used the wrong hand but an enlightening smack from Alphonse set her straight, " Fuhrer Bradley sir, what brings you here?" Hughes respectfully asks.

" To drop off a gift!"

Fuhrer Bradley smiles and holds out a melon and drops it daintily in Edward's hands who looks stunned by the gift the Fuhrer gave him, " Ah, thank you? Wait- why are you here!?" Bradley stops smiling and straightens his posture, " I've heard you've done some investigating Major Armstrong." Armstrong stiffens and he tries to not let his shock show but fails miserably.

" What?! Ah! No, I mean... How did you?" (Y/n) drags her hand down her face and deadpans at Armstrong, Bradley puts his hands behind him and doesn't look at anyone, " Don't underestimate my intelligence network. " Bradley turns his body to fully face (Y/n) and Edward, " Rosebush, Fullmetal." The two of them glance at each other before looking at the Fuhrer.

" The Philosopher Stone, what do you know about it? Be honest, because depending on the situation..." The room drops in temperature and there's not one relaxed muscle in that roo-" I was just kidding! You don't need to be so shielding!!" Bradley laughs at the room's dumbfounded expression before going back to business, " However."

Bradley grabs a paper and reviews its contents, " Ah, I've investigated this quite thoroughly, but the whereabouts of the people who worked at the fifth institute are unknown." Fuhrer Bradley sighs and doesn't give the paper back to Armstrong, " Even with my intelligence network we don't know how far the enemy has spread." Hughes adjusts his glasses and looks at the Fuhrer.

" But conducting a search would be very dangerous, right sir?" Bradley nods and steps back to see the entire room, " Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, Major Armstrong, and you three." They all straighten their posture at the Fuhrer's tone, " I give you this order for your safety and others."